U.S. officials say as many as 90,000 Americans will likely die from COVID-19 within the next four weeks.
The projection comes as the country struggles to hit its coronavirus vaccination goals owing to logistics.
The straight-to-the-point approach of the hourlong briefing was in line with President Joe Biden's campaign promise of being honest to the public regarding the outbreak.
"I know this is not news we all want to hear, but this is something we must say so we are all aware. If we are united in action we can turn things around," the new director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said during a briefing.
White House officials said they would deliver briefings three times a week to update the public on the state of the country's fight against the virus.
Political experts said that the briefings are likely Biden's attempt to rebuild public trust, convince Americans to follow government health advisories and guidance and reduce public resistance to vaccinations.
The briefing - held virtually - included statements from administration officials containing updates on the country's efforts to contain the pandemic and vaccinations. Senior administration adviser Andy Slavitt said the White House would "follow the science" and let scientists "speak independently."
White House coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients said the Biden administration was trying to find new ways of speeding up inoculations and vaccine production.
Biden has committed to providing U.S. states enough vaccines to inoculate up to 300 million residents by the end of summer. Zients called on Congress to approve Biden's $1.9 trillion plan to increase the pace of vaccinations and increase testing.
